DR. MARJA-ILONA KOSKI

CO-FOUNDER & HEAD OF CURRICULUM

I originally planned to become a biologist. But computer science seduced me and opened up a whole new world. As much as I love the discipline itself, I discovered that teaching technology and computer science to primary school students was my true calling. My thoughts about education and my teaching style are heavily influenced by my experience as a computer science teacher in Finland. I later took that experience and applied it during my Ph.D studies at TU Delft where I focused on how to improve the professional development of technology and science teachers.

I’m excited to be leading NewTechKids’ efforts to create new ways to teach children technology, computer science and programming simultaneously. It’s not about teaching kids how to code or use gadgets, software and apps. It’s not about using iPads in schools. Our focus is to teach children the fundamentals of technology so they can apply them in all kinds of ways while thinking about the ‘how’ and ‘why’. Most importantly, we want to encourage our students to translate abstract concepts into their own inventions in a way which makes them eager to learn.